Miniature body fan

ABSTRACT

A body fan may include a fan device and a fan housing, wherein the fan device includes a fan to generate airflow, a motor connecting to the fan, a fan housing to receive the fan and the motor, a plurality of battery receiving spaces and a securing clamp used to engage with clothing of a user, and wherein the fan housing has an outer cover that generates a fan receiving space for the fan device and a securing band used to further secure the fan device to the clothing of the user or directly to the user&#39;s body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/703,451, filed on Sep. 20, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a miniature fan device, and more particularly to a method and apparatus to attach the fan to a human body to provide a personal cooling effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fans are commonly used in our daily lives, especially during summer time. However, there are many situations where it is desirable for a person to be able to carry a portable fan for personal cooling as they move about. For example, in fair grounds, theme parks and the like, which are generally located in warm climates, a person strolling outside can find it unpleasantly hot, especially if the sun is beating down on gravel or hot tarmac.

Recently, personal fans become more and more popular because it can be disposed closer to the human body and can be used when the user was strolling outside. U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,035 describes a personal fan intended to be suspended around the neck of the user. This device includes a cord that is attached to the housing or the shroud, and is free of any support structure apart from the housing and shroud. However, the fan described in this patent cannot be mounted in a stable position against the user, and the airflow cannot therefore be precisely directed. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved personal fan that can be securely attached to the clothing of the user to provide a personal cooling effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a miniature personal fan that can be securely attached to the clothing of the user, so that the user can enjoy a personal cooling effect even when the user is walking around.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to securely attach the miniature fan to the clothing of the user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a small, light-weight, safe and efficient air generating device that can be securely attached to the clothing of the user, or directly attached to the user's body.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a miniature personal fan that can be attached to the clothing of the user to generate an airflow inside the clothing to enhance the personal cooling effect.

In one aspect, a personal fan may include a fan device and a fan housing, wherein the fan device includes a fan to generate airflow, a motor connecting to the fan, a fan housing to receive the fan and the motor, a plurality of battery receiving spaces and a securing clamp used to engage with clothing of a user, and wherein the fan housing has an outer cover that generates a fan receiving space for the fan device and a securing band used to further secure the fan device to the clothing of the user or directly to the user's body.

In one embodiment, the fan device may further include a fan cover to prevent the user from touching the fan. In another embodiment, the fan housing has a hole at a bottom thereof, so that the airflow generated by the fan device can pass through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one application of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second application of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third application of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth application of the miniature personal fan in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a body fan may include a fan device 100 and a housing 200, wherein the fan device 100 includes a fan 110 to generate airflow, a motor 120 connecting to the fan, a fan housing 130 to receive the fan and the motor, a plurality of battery receiving spaces 140 and a securing clamp 150 used to engage with clothing of a user. The housing 200 has an outer cover 210 that generates a fan receiving space 240 for the fan device 100 and a securing band 220 used to further secure the fan device to the clothing of the user or directly to the user's body. The outer cover 210 can also be used to protect the fan device 100.

In one embodiment, the fan device 100 may further include a fan cover 160 to prevent the user from touching the fan, and a plurality of air inlet holes 160′ are formed thereon. In another embodiment, the fan housing 200 has a through hole 230 at a bottom thereof, so that the airflow generated by the fan device 100 can pass through. The fan device 100 further comprises several battery covers 170 to protect the batteries inside, and a switch 180 to turn on/off the fan device 100.

When in use, the fan device 100 can be attached to the clothing of the user directly, or disposed in the fan receiving space 240 of the housing 200. FIGS. 4 to 7 show several applications of the personal fan in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the personal fan can be clamped at an opening of the user's long sleeve, so that the airflow generated by the fan device 100 flows directly into the user's clothing. The personal fan can also be secured at the user's ankle using the securing band 220, the size of which can be adjusted to appropriately go around the user's ankle, as shown in FIG. 5.

Similar to FIG. 4, the personal fan can be clamped at an opening at the user's short sleeve, so that the airflow generated by the fan device 100 flows directly into the user's clothing as shown in FIG. 6. The personal fan can also be secured at a user's shirt, as shown in FIG. 7.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A body fan comprising a fan device and a housing, wherein the fan device includes a fan to generate airflow, a motor connecting to the fan, a fan housing to receive the fan and the motor, a plurality of battery receiving spaces and a securing clamp used to engage with clothing of a user, wherein the housing has an outer cover that generates a fan receiving space for the fan device, and a securing band used to further secure the fan device to the clothing of the user or directly to the user's body, and the airflow is configured to flow into the user's body.
 2. The body fan of claim 1, the fan device further comprising a fan cover to prevent the user from touching the fan, and a plurality of air inlet holes are formed thereon.
 3. The body fan of claim 1, wherein the fan housing has a through hole at a bottom thereof, so that the airflow generated by the fan device is configured to pass therethrough.
 4. The body fan of claim 1, wherein the body fan is configured to clamp at an opening of the user's sleeve, so that the airflow generated by the fan device flows directly into the user's clothing.
 5. The body fan of claim 1, wherein the body fan is configured to directly attach to the user's body.
 6. The body fan of claim 1, wherein the body fan is configured to clamp at the user's shirt, so that the airflow generated by the fan device flows directly into the user's shirt.
 7. A body fan configured to generate airflow directly flowing into a user's body comprising a fan device and a housing, wherein the fan device includes a fan to generate airflow, a motor connecting to the fan, a fan housing to receive the fan and the motor, a plurality of battery receiving spaces and a securing clamp used to engage with clothing of the user, wherein the housing has an outer cover that generates a fan receiving space for the fan device, and a securing band used to further secure the fan device to the clothing of the user or directly to the user's body.
 8. The body fan configured to generate airflow directly flowing into a user's body of claim 7, the fan device further comprising a fan cover to prevent the user from touching the fan, and a plurality of air inlet holes are formed thereon.
 9. The body fan configured to generate airflow directly flowing into a user's body of claim 7, wherein the fan housing has a through hole at a bottom thereof, so that the airflow generated by the fan device is configured to pass therethrough.
 10. The body fan configured to generate airflow directly flowing into a user's body of claim 7, wherein the body fan is configured to clamp at an opening of the user's sleeve, so that the airflow generated by the fan device flows directly into the user's clothing.
 11. The body fan configured to generate airflow directly flowing into a user's body of claim 7, wherein the body fan is configured to directly attach to the user's body.
 12. The body fan configured to generate airflow directly flowing into a user's body of claim 7, wherein the body fan is configured to clamp at the user's shirt, so that the airflow generated by the fan device flows directly into the user's shirt. 